5 Great Comedies That Are Somehow Also Very Depressing
Life isn't always laughing or crying, sometimes it's both at the same time. This is what makes these 5 movies so good.
When we think about an ideal feel-good movie, we seem to gravitate towards comedies. They're our comfort watch, our escape from harsh reality, promising 90+ minutes of pure joy and laughter.
And while we absolutely love the ones where everything is pitch-perfect and everyone's happy, we can't help but also gravitate towards another genre of comedy out there. And this one hits differently.
These comedies will make you laugh out loud one moment and punch you in the gut the next. They're the ones that stick with you long after the credits roll, making you question whether you should feel happy or sad. And somehow that confusion feels exactly right.
So if you're in the mood for an emotional rollercoaster this weekend, buckle up because we have exactly what you're looking for.
World's Greatest Dad (2009): Hidden Gem That Will Break Your Heart
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World's Greatest Dad might be the most inappropriately named comedy you'll ever watch (and that's exactly the point). This dark horse of cinema sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) is a struggling high school poetry teacher and failed writer whose life takes an unexpected turn after a deadly accident involving his son. The story unfolds when Clayton writes a fake suicide note that suddenly makes him the center of attention he always desired to be.
This dark satire is one of those rare movies where Williams plays a more serious role. This fact alone makes this movie worth watching.
It's darkly funny, uncomfortably true, and ultimately heartbreaking. And if you've ever felt lost in a world that seems to reward the wrong things, this movie speaks to you directly.
World's Greatest Dad is free on Hoopla and Plex. This is a great opportunity to watch this unfairly forgotten classic.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006): The Most Honest Road Movie Ever
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Little Miss Sunshine doesn't try to sell you a perfect family. It gives you something better: a real one.
The story follows the Hoovers, a delightfully dysfunctional family, as they embark on an 800-mile journey to get their daughter Olive to a beauty pageant. In their little van, we get front-row seats to family dynamics that are simultaneously hilarious and painfully real.
Little Miss Sunshine is one of the best dramatic roles that Steven Carell has done. He brings both comedic timing and vulnerability that will catch you off guard.
It's a beautiful mess of human emotions. Every character is fighting their own battle and that is exactly what makes the movie hilarious, heartbreaking and somehow feel like home.
You can catch Little Miss Sunshine on Hulu and Apple TV+. This is one road trip you don't want to miss out on.
Mary and Max (2009): The Clay Animation Masterpiece
Mary and Max is proof that the most life-changing friendships can start with a simple letter and span oceans.
We follow the unlikely pen-pal friendship between Mary, a lonely 8-year-old girl from Australia, and Max, a 44-year-old man with Asperger's syndrome living in New York. Their friendship spans decades, touching on everything from chocolate to anxiety, friendship to loneliness.
This clay animation film might look quirky on the surface, but don't let that fool you. It's a masterpiece that dares to discuss mental health, isolation and the human need for connection with so much grace and naturally, humor.
Mary and Max is available on Apple TV+. Just don't forget your tissue boxes (yeah, you’ll need more than just one).
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001): The Dysfunctional Family Portrait
This Wes Anderson's comedy is the ultimate awkward family reunion if we've ever seen one.
The story follows Royal Tenenbaum, a not-so-great dad trying to win back his family by faking a terminal illness. Meanwhile, his grown-up kids are still dealing with the fact that they peaked in their childhood.
The movie masterfully balances its quirky humor with real emotional depth.
Wes Anderson's signature style is the perfect addition to this story. Another thing that is mind-blowing about the movie, besides its cinematography, is a great soundtrack that will definitely be making its way into your playlist.
The Royal Tenenbaums is streaming on Fandango at Home, Prime Video and Apple TV+. Get ready for a quirky ride that'll make you laugh, cry, and probably call your family afterwards.
Lost in Translation ( 2003): The Most Beautiful Melancholy
Lost in Translation is about being completely alone in a city of millions and then finding someone who's just as lost as you are.
Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson play two Americans who cross paths in Tokyo. He's a washed-up movie star doing whiskey commercials, she's a young woman trying to figure out her life and marriage.
Sofia Coppola's direction makes Tokyo feel like another character in the story. A beautiful, overwhelming and slightly out of reach fellow.
The humor here is subtle and it's the underlying sadness and loneliness that really gets you.
It's perfect for those nights when you're feeling a bit lost yourself and need some company in that feeling. You can watch Lost in Translation on Spectrum, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.
